Starter home: Youghal, Co Cork, €215,000

Trish Dromey hears this former sweet shop off the Upper Strand has been turned into a distinctive, spacious and cosy cottage.

Size: 150 sq m (1,620 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 2

BER: D1

A former sweet shop off Youghal’s Upper Strand has been turned into Haven — a detached and spacious cottage that’s rather distinctive.

Generations of locals remember buying sweets there, but it’s been a private home for at least 15 years, says Mary O’Donnell of Clear View Auctioneers who is seeking offers of €215,000 for this substantial 1,620 sq ft property.

It already had window shutters and charm when the current owners bought it, but they redecorated and refurbished and set about making it even prettier.

“They repainted the whole house, put in radiator covers in all the rooms and also put in new bathroom fittings. When they redecorated the kitchen they used unusual patterned tiles, specially designed for them,” says Ms O’Donnell.

Downstairs there’s a timber floored living room with a fireplace and a brass over mantle mirror as well as a kitchen/dining room with fitted units and interesting tiling.

There’s also a fourth bedroom or study with walls of book shelves, as well as two utility rooms including one with a WC. Upstairs has a bathroom and three timber floored bedrooms, including one at the front with a beach view.

With double glazing and gas heating the house has a D1 energy rating. To the rear there’s a terraced garden with a patio, shrubbery beds, a fishpond and a large pink shed.

Haven is the first property on Golf Links Road and is within a five-minute walk from the beach.

Verdict: Space and charm for holidaying or living near the sea.